ABAC Poll Says Popularity Rating Of PM Is In Decline

[Jai Dee]

ABAC Poll says popularity rating of PM is in decline

ABAC Poll recently conducted a survey on Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont’s popularity, and the result showed that his rating dropped from 70.5% in November 2006 to 48.2%. However, the score of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra gained from 15.8% to 21.6%. 64.2% of the respondents however viewed that Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin should stop all political movements.

4,334 respondents of the survey were public members over 18 years of age in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Kanchanaburi, Chanthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Chiang Rai, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Chumphon, Nakhon Ratchasima and Surat Thani. It was conducted from January 20th to February 3rd of this year.

The survey pointed out that the popularity ratings of the current Prime Minister and the government went down considerably. The head of ABAC Poll Centre, Dr. Noppadol Kannika of Assumption University, would like the society to help consider the reason why their popularity ratings decreased.

Dr. Noppadol also pointed out that the military-governed administration may have to apply political tactics by reiterating its statements and performing similar tasks repeatedly. In addition, he suggested that the government’s budget and policy have to go in line. Dr. Noppadol also said the government needs to help the troubled people more promptly and thoroughly, adding that the Prime Minister should get in touch with the local people instead of meeting a few top officials.

Another issue Dr. Noppadol pointed out concerns the gap between the government and the media. He said the news and information must be unbiased.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 05 February 2007

[alexth]

No surprise here...

[Tony Clifton]

Another ABAC poll.

Here's a little helper on the accuracy of the poll

ASSUMPTION UNIVERSITY 'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

OF THE COUNTRY HAS BEEN RECOGINISED BY THE ROYAL THAI GOVERNMENT AS EVIDENCED

BY THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE AWARDED BY PRIME MINISTER THAKSIN SHINAWATRA

http://www.journal.au.edu/abac_today/2001/special_aug01/

Edited February 5, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[thai_narak]

I don't believe in ABAC polls... I don't know why.

[Plus]

Ditto Alexth,

With all the recent economic screw ups and unsolved bombings Surayud has a tough time maintaining ratings, no surprise.

[Jai Dee]

Thaksin rebounds in popularity

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has plunged again in the approval stakes while ousted Thaksin Shinawatra has gained popularity, according to a new poll.

Abac Poll Research Centre said Surayud had fallen to a current approval rating of 48.2 per cent, down from a November high of 75 per cent.

At the same time, the popularity of former prime minister Thaksin shot to 21.6 per cent from 15.8 per cent.

Thaksin's decision to "retire" from politics was backed by 64.2 per cent of respondents. But, 9.8 per cent disagreed with his decision and 26 per cent had no comment.

Surprisingly, more than 60 per cent of respondents from Thaksin's stronghold in the Northeast agreed it was time for him to bow out. A 20.2 per cent Northeast sample disagreed and the rest had no comment.

Asked if Thaksin should return to Thailand, 44.8 per cent said no, 19.9 per cent yes and 35.3 declined to answer.

The New Year's Eve Bangkok bombs have created insecurity with 69 per cent of those living in the capital worried about their safety while 68 per cent of Northeast people are concerned as are 67.6 per cent of those living in Central provinces.

The survey quizzed 4,334 respondents in 18 provinces across the country between January 20 and February 3.

Poll centre director Dr Noppadon Kannika believed Surayud had fallen in popularity because the government and Council for National Security had failed to initiate bureaucratic reform.

"The military style of administration does not work. They have to repeatedly stress what work they want done,'' he said.

He added Surayud should conduct spot checks on bureaucrats.

"But, Cabinet members like formality and having bureaucrats welcome them when they visit. Their close aides are starting to act like influential figures,'' he said.

Source: The Nation - 5 February 2007

[PhilHarries]

Nothing surprising, even elected governments suffer a slump in popularity after the honeymoon period following their election.

Still the figures are interesting, Thaksin "shoots" up 36% and Surayud drops by....................................36%. Hmmmmm

There are lies, damm lies, statistics and opinion polls. Still it must be accurate as a whopping 0.007% of the population participated.

[TAWP]

Assuming the sample is correctly selected, if it's 0.007% or not isn't important. As you would know if you studied statistics.

[John K]

This will continue, as it is shaping up to be Thaksin’s new game plan. They need to have other players in the game now. If only given the choice between Thaksin and the new government, Thaksin has the upper edge because of his deep pockets. The name Thaksin needs to be diluted in a bigger pool of candidates.